In preparation I've been visiting my employer's 'Teachers' Library' for a while now, where they have a selection of TEFL/ESL journals. However, the trouble is I'm not sure which journals I should be reading. There's quite an array, mostly in Chinese (where I teach) but some English language ones.

I'm aware that there probably isn't such a thing as 'reading too much around a subject', but I'd like to make the most of my time and concentrate on the most reputable/widely read ones first. So any suggestions on what titles to look out for would be appreciated.

There are lots, Shroob. If you look at these online, they will sometimes give a breakdown into 'most cited,' or 'key issues', or 'recently read', which might help give you a focus. I agree that it's easier to look for and find material once you have an area of research, rather than more random looking. Generally you'd need an online sub or availability as a uni student through library services to gain full acccess to articles. Your school might subscribe to some of these ones:

You "should be reading" what interests you professionally/academically.

If you are into teaching reading, read journals on that subject.
If you are into listening, find articles on the subject. They may not be in just one.

I'm quite indecisive at the moment unfortunately, I understand what you mean though.

coledavis wrote:

I don't know about journals, but may I suggest two books: the superbly readable Words in the Mind by Jean Aitchison and also The English Verb by Michael Lewis.

Thanks, I'll see if I can locate a copy of those.

artemisia wrote:

There are lots, Shroob. If you look at these online, they will sometimes give a breakdown into 'most cited,' or 'key issues', or 'recently read', which might help give you a focus. I agree that it's easier to look for and find material once you have an area of research, rather than more random looking. Generally you'd need an online sub or availability as a uni student through library services to gain full acccess to articles. Your school might subscribe to some of these ones:

You "should be reading" what interests you professionally/academically.

If you are into teaching reading, read journals on that subject.
If you are into listening, find articles on the subject. They may not be in just one.

I'm quite indecisive at the moment unfortunately, I understand what you mean though.

And, in my case I have a wide range of interests from ER to listening skills to motivation to ESP to presentations. You just have to wade in and start searching for the information. You may want to organize your searching into 2 categories at first:

articles you need immediately to help with a specific issue in class, and
general information on teaching theory

Your school may/may not have journals that interest you. If not, ask the library what it would take to order them (on their budget). Many will ask teachers once a year what they would like the library to stock.